Black Diamond Adds Six New Global Athletes and Ambassadors to Team

Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of performance mountain sports equipment, apparel and footwear, welcomed six new members to its global athlete and ambassador team—Angela Hawse, Adrian Ballinger, Topo Mena, Carla Perez, Karina Carsolio, and Chaehyun Seo.

“Each of these talented, diverse mountain athletes brings something exceptional to Black Diamond,” said BDE’s marketing director, Adam Peters. “Regardless of their discipline, they consistently push the boundaries of what’s achievable in climbing and everything in between.”

Aligned with Black Diamond’s mission to be one with the sports it serves, the athlete roster is curated for specific mountain sports categories—climb, backcountry snow, and mountain running.
In 2023, the company added three new athletes to its Global Climbing Team, two new athletes to its Backcountry Snow Team, and one athlete to its Global Mountain Run team, bringing the total number of athletes on the company’s roster to 29, spanning across all mountain disciplines.

Peters added, “Our athletes are instrumental in Black Diamond’s product development, contributing valuable insights that consistently push the boundaries of innovation in both equipment and apparel. Their passion for the mountains, active community leadership, and commitment to supporting the next generation of athletes are truly commendable. We are excited to welcome these athletes into the BD family and look forward to witnessing their future achievements.”

Athlete resumes include:

Angela Hawse, Backcountry Ambassador – ski mountaineering
- - Ridgway, CO
  - IFMGA Guide
  - President of the AMGA
Adrian Ballinger, Backcountry Athlete – ski mountaineering
- - Tahoe, CA
  - IFMGA Guide
  - Owner of Alpenglow Expeditions
  - Four completed 8000-meter peak ski descents
Topo Mena, Climb Athlete – mountaineering
- - Quito, Ecuador
  - IFMGA Guide
  - Youngest non-Sherpa to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support
Carla Perez, Climb Athlete – mountaineering
- - Quito, Ecuador
  - Guided successful summit of Everest via Northeast Ridge, 2019
  - First woman from the Americas to summit K2 without supplemental oxygen, 2019
  - First woman to summit Everest and K2 in the same year, 2019
  - Solo ascent of Cho Oyu without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support, 2014
  - Summited Manaslu without supplemental oxygen or Sherpa support, 2012
Chaehyun Seo, Climb Athlete – sport climbing
- - Seoul, South Korea
  - IFSC Lead World Champion, 2021
  - Asian Championship Gold Medal Bouldering and Lead, 2019
  - Redpoint La Rambla 5.15a, 2023
Karina Carsolio, Run Athlete – FKT, mountain and trail running
- - Mexico City, Mexico
  - North and Central American Sky Running Champion, 2023
  - Schlegeis 3000 Skyrace, first place, 2023
  - Trofeo Kima, third place, 2022
  - Monte Rosa Sky Marathon, first place, 2022